Weston & The Evergreen Breathe a New Life Into Pop-Rock
Words by Caitlyn McGonigal
Graphic by Emily Lantzy
Located in Abilene, Texas, Weston & The Evergreen find themselves at the cusp of a new corner of pop-rock. Having crafted a unique sound that’s entirely their own (think LANY meets Mumford & Sons), the quartet released their debut, 22 Years Young, in late January of 2020. The record came to be through hard work, determination against the odds (they recorded it in their dorm rooms!), and a genuine passion for what they do.
The introduction to the record, “Evergreen,” gives us a glimpse into the world the band is about to take us to, but keeps just enough a secret that we’re still in for some surprises along the way. It can be incredibly hard to create an introductory track that doesn’t come across as gimickey, but that’s a feat Weston & The Evergreen had no issue facing. The song builds up beautifully, guided by strings and Weston’s explanation for what this record means to him, in the grand scheme of things. He notes that he’s “Choosing to love every day, and choosing God every day.” Once the introduction ends, the song kicks into full gear. The feeling is reminiscent of “Lostmyhead” by The 1975 or “Cherry Red” by Waterparks — it’s full of emotion out of nowhere, and hits the listener in the best possible way.
The record transitions into “Kiss Kiss” smoothly. Having been released the year prior, “Kiss Kiss” has proven to be successful. It’s catchy, fun, and easy to dance to. The following track, “Yogurt,” is a standout on the album. The instrumentation combined with his vocals feels raw and genuine. It’s easy to imagine this song being performed live, and being met by a crowd of fans yelling the lyrics back.
Though tracks like “Petunia” and “Something Different” feel like they blend into the rest of the record, and therefore fall into the background, they’re still enjoyable to listen to. Though unexpected, “If God Came Down” is a standout track on the record as well, showcasing the band’s production abilities, along with their killer grasp on engaging lyricism.
Coming in at nearly seven and a half minutes, “If God Came Down” finds the vocalist reflecting, and offering the audience to reflect alongside him. The emotion in the track is almost tangible. You can hear in his voice just how much he truly means the lyrics he’s singing, and this passion only gets more and more intense as the song goes on. Though the track as a whole is a bit softer than the rest of the album, the guitar guides the listener throughout it. We’re met by a prayer, and the song ending. Whether you’re religious or not, there’s no denying that the song is emotional and encourages some powerful, thought-provoking reflection. It’s seven minutes long, but it’s an amazing seven minutes. Everything that makes Weston & The Evergreen who they are, is present at its full capability in this track.
The record moves along to “Cappy,” which is absolutely insane. You wouldn’t expect it at first, but once the chorus hits, the energy is incredible. It’s fast, impossible not to sing along to, and only gets better as the song goes along. The instrumentation and production is some of the best on the entire record, and this track will without a doubt be a fan favorite. It’s a hidden gem in the band’s discography, and has the potential to be the type of track saved for encores to end the show on a great note.
Photo Credit: Ky Kasselman
With that being said, the record ends with “Back to the 50’s,” and while it’s a wonderful song, it might be best suited after “If God Came Down,” as far as the flow of the album is concerned. “Cappy” ends on such an intense note that it feels odd to have another song after it. Regardless, the track is sweet and brings to the table an acoustic sound that this record needed a dose of to feel complete. The song’s lyrics are filled with imagery of the time period in question, and the track even feels like it was taken from that time. It feels like it was plucked straight from a coming-of-age movie about the 50’s, and the sock hop is slowly ending while the last few couples slow dance together. As far as lyrics go, “Back to the 50’s” is a perfect example of what Weston & The Evergreen is capable of.
22 Years Young is something the alternative scene has been needing for a while. Honest and well-written lyrics, a true passion for what’s being created, and incredible musical ability are some of the core elements that make up Weston & The Evergreen. It’s hard to believe that this record was recorded entirely in their dorm rooms, but it says a lot about the band’s talent and dedication to their craft that something like this album could come from a situation like that.
If you’re a fan of LANY, The Band CAMINO, joan, The Japanese House, or just good music in general, then Weston & The Evergreen needs to be on your playlist.